Modular furniture unit having power distribution

ABSTRACT

A modular furniture unit can be configured to provide power distribution in conjunction with other furniture features. Embodiments of furniture arrangements may utilize one or more modular furniture units to provide one or more of such features (e.g. storage, seating, privacy, work surface, lighting, etc.). In some embodiments, the modular furniture unit includes an elongated upper member having an upper slot that has a first end and a second end opposite its first end. At least one leg is attached to the first end and at least one leg is attached to the second end. The elongated upper member may have a channel through which power cabling passes and outlets that are connected to such cabling. Different elements can be connected to the upper member via the upper slot or a downward facing opening of the upper member and/or to the legs to provide different furniture arrangements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/169,054, which was filed on Jun. 1, 2015.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture can be configured to provide functional units for use in aparticular floor layout or office organizational scheme. For instance,cubicle arrangements may be provided for furnishing a room. Officechairs, desks, lighting, and other articles of furniture may also beincluded in such an arrangement. Examples of furniture systems for usein organizing or decorating interior spaces of buildings such as officesor homes can be appreciated from U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,347,796, 8,132,371,6,167,664, 6,067,762, 5,943,966, 5,906,420, 5,328,260, 5,309,686,5,086,597, 4,567,698, 4,546,889, 4,382,642, 4,325,597, and 2,821,450,and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/018222.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular furniture unit, a furniture arrangement utilizing at least onemodular furniture unit, and methods of making and using the same areprovided. The modular furniture unit can be configured to provide powerdistribution in conjunction with other furniture features, such as, forexample, storage, seating, privacy, lighting, and/or work surfacefeatures. Embodiments of furniture arrangements may utilize one or moremodular furniture units to provide one or more of such features (e.g.storage, seating, privacy, work surface, lighting, etc.).

In some embodiments, a modular furniture unit can include an uppermember having a first end and a second end, at least one first legconnected to the first end of the upper member, and at least one secondleg connected to the second end of the upper member. The upper membercan have a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to thebottom at a first side of the upper member extending between the firstand second ends of the upper member and can also have a second sidewallextending from the top to the bottom at a second side of the uppermember that is opposite the first side of the upper member. The secondside of the upper member can extend between the first and second ends ofthe upper member. The upper member can have at least one of: outletspositioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in the secondsidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned in theupper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricity to theoutlets. The top of the upper member can have an elongated slotextending from adjacent the first end of the upper member to adjacent tothe second end of the upper member and the upper member can have adownwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the upper member.

The modular furniture unit may be connected to different components. Forinstance, a privacy screen can be attached to the upper member via theslot. As another example, a shelf body may be attached between the atleast one first leg and the at least one second leg underneath the uppermember and spaced apart from the upper member. As yet another example, asaddle seat can be attached to the upper member via the slot 5. Thesaddle seat can have a middle portion, a first side portion, and asecond side portion. The first side portion can extend downwardly fromthe middle portion along the first sidewall and the second side portioncan extend downwardly from the middle portion along the second sidewall.As yet another example, another type of seat element or a shelf elementmay be attached to the upper member via the slot. A display device canalso (or alternatively) be attached to the upper element via the slot.

In other embodiments, at least one storage device can be attached to theupper member such that the storage device hangs from adjacent thedownwardly facing opening. An upper end of the storage device can beattached to the upper member inside the downwardly facing opening. Insome embodiments, the storage device may have pouches. In yet otherembodiments, at least one privacy screen can be attached to the uppermember via the slot and at least one tabletop can be attached to theupper member via the downwardly facing opening.

In some embodiments, the modular furniture unit may include other uppermembers. For instance, the upper member can be a first upper member andthe modular unit can also include a second upper member having a firstend and a second end. At least one third leg can be connected to thefirst end of the second upper member. At least one fourth leg can beconnected to the second end of the second upper member. The second uppermember can have a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the topto the bottom at a first side of the second upper member extendingbetween the first and second ends of the second upper member, and asecond sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side ofthe second upper member that is opposite the first side of the secondupper member. The second side of the second upper member can extendbetween the first and second ends of the second upper member. The secondupper member may have at least one of: outlets positioned in the firstsidewall of the second upper member and outlets positioned in the secondsidewall of the second upper member, each of the outlets connected towiring positioned in the second upper member to conduct electricity froma source of electricity to the outlets. The top of the second uppermember can have an elongated slot extending from adjacent the first endof the second upper member to adjacent to the second end of the secondupper member. There may also be a work surface extending between thefirst upper member and the second upper member above the first andsecond upper members. The first upper member can be attached to the worksurface adjacent to a first side of the work surface and the secondupper member can be attached to the work surface adjacent to a secondside of the work surface.

In yet another embodiment, a second upper member can have having a firstend, a second end, a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from thetop to the bottom at a first side of the second upper member extendingbetween the first and second ends of the second upper member, and asecond sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side ofthe second upper member that is opposite the first side of the secondupper member where the second side of the second upper member alsoextends between the first and second ends of the second upper member.The second upper member can have at least one of: outlets positioned inthe first sidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, eachof the outlets connected to wiring positioned in the second upper memberto conduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets. Thetop of the second upper member can have an elongated slot extending fromadjacent the first end of the second upper member to adjacent to thesecond end of the second upper member and the second upper member canalso have a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of thesecond upper member. The second end of the first upper member can beadjacent to the first end of the second upper member and an upper memberinter-connection connector can be attached between the first end of thesecond upper member and the second end of the first upper member withinthe downwardly facing openings of the first and second upper members.The at least one second leg that is attached to the second end of thefirst upper member can be attached to the second end of the first uppermember via the upper member inter-connection connector and at least onesecond leg can also be attached to the first end of the second uppermember via the upper member inter-connection connector. At least onethird leg can be attached to the second end of the second upper member.

A furniture arrangement is also provided. The arrangement can include afirst modular unit and a second modular unit. The first modular unit caninclude: a first upper member having a first end and a second end, atleast one first leg connected to the first end of the first uppermember, and at least one second leg connected to the second end of thefirst upper member. The first upper member can have a top, a bottom, afirst sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side ofthe first upper member extending between the first and second ends ofthe first upper member. The first upper member can also have a secondsidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of thefirst upper member that is opposite the first side of the first uppermember. The second side of the first upper member can also extendbetween the first and second ends of the first upper member. The firstupper member can have at least one of: outlets positioned in the firstsidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall. Each of theoutlets can be connected to wiring positioned in the upper member toconduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets. The topof the first upper member can define an elongated slot extending fromadjacent the first end of the upper member to adjacent to the second endof the first upper member and the first upper member can also define adownwardly facing opening in the bottom of the upper member. A secondmodular unit may be connectable to the first modular unit.

In some embodiments, the second modular unit can include a second uppermember having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a firstsidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side of thesecond upper member extending between the first and second ends of thesecond upper member, and a second sidewall extending from the top to thebottom at a second side of the second upper member that is opposite thefirst side of the second upper member where the second side of thesecond upper member also extends between the first and second ends ofthe second upper member. The second upper member can have at least oneof: outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned inthe second sidewall. Each of the outlets of the second upper member canbe connected to wiring positioned in the second upper member to conductelectricity from a source of electricity to the outlets. The top of thesecond upper member can have an elongated slot extending from adjacentthe first end of the second upper member to adjacent to the second endof the second upper member. The second upper member can also have adownwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the second uppermember.

In some embodiments of the arrangement, the second end of the firstupper member can be adjacent to the first end of the second uppermember. The upper member inter-connection connector can be attachedbetween the first end of the second upper member and the second end ofthe first upper member within the downwardly facing openings of thefirst and second upper members. The at least one second leg attached tothe second end of the first upper member can be attached to the secondend of the first upper member via the upper member inter-connectionconnector and the at least one second leg can also attached to the firstend of the second upper member via the upper member inter-connectionconnector. At least one third leg may be attached to the second end ofthe second upper member. The legs may facilitate supporting the firstand second upper members on a floor.

In some embodiments, work surface may be attached between the firstupper member of the first modular unit and the second upper member ofthe second modular unit. For instance, the work surface may be atabletop, countertop, or desktop. In other embodiments, a privacy screencan be attached to the first modular unit and a privacy screen can alsobe attached to the second modular unit. In yet other embodiments, adisplay device can be connected to the first modular unit. In someembodiments, the first and second upper members may be connectedadjacent to each other to define a generally “L” shaped, a generally “V”shaped, generally “T” shaped, or a generally “I” shaped arrangement.

Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of certain exemplary embodimentsthereof and certain exemplary methods of practicing the same proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of modular furniture units, exemplary embodimentsof furniture arrangements utilizing such units are shown in theaccompanying drawings and certain exemplary methods of making andpracticing the same are also illustrated therein. It should beappreciated that like reference numbers used in the drawings mayidentify like components. For instance, it should be understood that theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-11 each utilize the exemplaryembodiment of the modular furniture unit shown in FIG. 1 in addition toat least one other element connected to that unit and/or the inclusionof additional embodiments of the first exemplary embodiment of themodular furniture unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a modularfurniture unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of afurniture arrangement utilizing embodiments of the first exemplaryembodiment of the modular furniture unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an eighth exemplary embodiment of amodular furniture unit.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment afurniture arrangement utilizing embodiments of the first exemplaryembodiment of the modular furniture unit.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view of the second exemplary embodiment afurniture arrangement illustrating an interconnection mechanism that canbe used for connecting different modular furniture units.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating an exemplaryarrangement of the upper member 3 of the modular furniture unit.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary exploded view illustrating an exemplaryarrangement of the upper member 3 of the modular furniture unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-13, a modular furniture unit 1 can include an upperelongated member 3 that is supported by a base 4 that has a plurality oflegs 5 that extend downwardly from the upper member 3 to support theupper member 3 on a floor. The upper member 3 can extend along itslength from a first end 3 a to its second end 3 b. The upper member 3can also include a plurality of outlets 7 positioned on sidewalls of theupper member 3. The sidewalls may extend from a top of the upper memberto a bottom of the upper member at opposite sides of the upper member.

The height H of the modular furniture unit 1 can be perpendicular to thelength L of the upper member 3. The height H may extend vertically fromthe top of the modular furniture unit 1 to its bottom. The length of themodular furniture unit may be at least primarily defined by the length Lof the upper member 3. The width W of the modular furniture unit 1 canbe perpendicular to its length and height H. In some embodiments, thewidth W could also be considered a depth, diameter, or thickness.

The upper member 3 can have at least one channel or other conduitdefined therein that contains wiring connected to the outlets forsupplying electricity to the outlets. A plug may be extendable orconnectable to the upper member for connecting that wiring to a sourceof electricity for distributing electricity to the outlets. The sourceof electricity to which the modular furniture unit 1 and its outlets 7are connectable may be an outlet on a floor or a wall adjacent to wherethe modular furniture unit is positioned.

The legs 5 of the base 4 can include a first set of legs, which mayinclude a first pair of first legs 5 a, and a second set of legs, whichmay include a second pair of second legs 5 b. The first legs 5 a canextend downwardly from adjacent a first end 3 a of the upper member 3and the second legs 5 b can extend downwardly from adjacent a second end3 b of the upper member 3. The terminal bottom end of each of the legs 5may be configured to contact the floor or may be attached to a floorcontacting element 5 c. In some embodiments, the floor contactingelement 5 c may be a castor 5 e or may be glide 5 d.

The castors 5 e can allow the modular furniture unit 1 to be rolled onthe floor when moving the modular furniture unit to different positionson a floor. The glides 5 d may be configured to permit the modularfurniture unit to be slid along the floor. Of course, whether glides 5d, castors 5 e, or other floor contacting element 5 c is utilized, themodular furniture unit 1 may also be sized and configured so that a usercan pick up the modular furniture unit 1 to lift that unit up off theground to carry the unit when moving the unit to a new location.

The first set of first legs 5 a may include a pair of first legs 5 athat extend downwardly from the upper member 3 at an angle θ relative toeach other and the second set of second legs 5 b may also include a pairof legs 5 b that extend downwardly from the upper member 3 at an angle θrelative to each other. In some embodiments, the angle θ can be set sothat the legs extend from the upper member 3 so that the upper member 3and the legs provide an appearance of a “saw horse” type structure. Forinstance, in some embodiments the angle θ can be between 10° and 65°,between 20° and 60°, between 25° and 50°, between 30° and 45° or between30° and 40°. For embodiments utilizing multiple upper members 3, whichmay have more than two sets of legs, each set of legs may include a pairof legs that extend downwardly from the upper member at an angle of θrelative to each other.

The upper member 3 can also include an upper slot 8. The upper slot 8may be defined in the top of the upper member 3. The slot 8 may bedefined to include a profile for facilitating the interconnection ofdifferent elements in the upper slot 8. There may also be holes definedin the upper member adjacent to the slot for receiving screws, bolts, orother fasteners for facilitating a connection of different elements tothe top of the upper member via the slot 8. For instance, as can beappreciated from FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, at least oneelement may be connected to the upper member 3 via the slot.

For instance, to provide a ledge for storage of an item or to provide aseat for a user, a rigid elongated polygonal shelf or seat element 13may be attached to the upper member 3 via the slot 8 as shown in FIG. 3.The elongated polygonal shelf or seat element 13 may be composed ofmetal, a polymeric material, wood, a composite or other material and bestructure in width, height, and length to facilitate the support of aportion of a user's body or the support of equipment or other materialsa user may want to rest on the shelf or seat element 13, such as books,a laptop computer, an electronic tablet, or other type of work material.

As another example, a saddle seat 17 can be attached to the top of theupper member 3 via the upper slot 8. The saddle seat 17 can beconfigured to have a middle portion 17 a that extends along the length Lof the upper member 3 along its top and have first and second sideportions 17 b and 17 c that extend downwardly form the middle portion 17a of the saddle seat 17 along upper portions of the sidewalls of theupper member 3 that have the outlets 7. The saddle seat 17 can beconfigured so that a portion of a user's back or buttocks can be incontact with the saddle seat to support a leaning or seated user. Thesaddle seat 17 can also be configured to facilitate a user straddlingthe upper member so that one leg of the user extends down from themiddle portion 17 a of the saddle seat adjacent the first side 17 b ofthe saddle seat and the other leg of the user extends from the middleportion 17 a to adjacent the second side 17 c of the saddle seat 17 asthe legs of the user sitting on the saddle seat 17 straddle the saddleseat 17 and extend from the saddle seat 17 to the floor.

As yet another example, FIGS. 6 and 10 illustrate privacy screen walls21 that are connected to the top of the upper member 3 via the upperslot 8. The privacy screen walls 21 may be a wall structure that hasupwardly projecting sides to define a vertically extending privacyscreen body having a polygonal shape (e.g. rectangular, hexagonal, etc.)or a circular or oval shape that extends upwardly from the upper member3 to provide a visibility barrier to improve the privacy of a work areathat may be at least partially defined by the furniture unit 1.

As yet another example, a lighting device 24 can be connected to the topof the upper member 3 via the upper slot 8. Posts 27 may be attached tothe top of the upper member 3 via the slot adjacent to the oppositefirst and second ends 3 a and 3 b of the upper member. A horizontallight supporting element 25 may be connected between the top ends of theposts 27. The horizontal light supporting element 25 may include lightsattached to a bottom surface or positioned to direct light downwardlyfrom the light supporting element 25. Electricity to power the lightingmay be connected to the lights via a wired plug connection to an outlet7 or via another type of connection to the electricity conducting wiringwithin the upper member 3.

As yet another example, shelving or cabinets or other type of equipmentstorage device or other type of storage device may be attached above thetop of the upper member 3 or otherwise positioned on or above the uppermember 3. For instance, shelving, cabinets, or both cabinets andshelving may be attached to the upper member via one or more connectorsthat are positioned in the slot 8 for attachment of the cabinets and/orshelving to the upper member 3.

As yet another example, referring to FIG. 8, a tabletop, desktop orother type of work surface 31 can be attached to multiple differentupper members 3 of different spaced apart modular furniture units 1 viathe upper slots 8 of those units so that the work surface is supportedabove the modular furniture units 1 to which it is attached. In someembodiments, the work surface 31 may be a polygonal, circular, orelliptical shaped structure that defines an upper work surface 31 thatis flat, substantially flat (e.g. within 1°-2° of being flat or within5° of being flat), inclined, or declined work surface that may supportequipment, papers, books, lighting, tools, or other equipment and/orthings. The work surface may have its underside attached to the top of afirst modular unit 1 via the upper slot 8 of that unit 1 adjacent afirst end or first side of that work surface. The work surface 31 mayhave its underside attached to the top of a second modular unit 1 viathe upper slot 8 of that unit adjacent to a second end or second side ofthat work surface 31 that is opposite its first end or first side. Insome embodiments, the work surface may have downwardly extendingconnectors attached to its underside for positioning in the slots 8 ofthe modular furniture units or may be connected to fasteners or otherfastening mechanism that is connected to the upper member 3 within theslot 8 and extends upwardly from the slot 8 for attachment to theunderside of the work surface 31. In other embodiments, it iscontemplated that connectors may extend from the upper slots 8 of theupper members 3 for attachment of upper members of spaced apart modularfurniture units at opposite edges of the work surface for attaching thework surface to the upper member 3 and supporting the work surface 31above that upper member 3.

As yet another example, a display device 41 such as a television, liquidcrystal display, computer monitor, or other type of display device maybe connected to the upper member via the upper slot 8. First, second,and third connectors 43 a, 43 b, and 43 c may be connected to the uppermember and extend from the upper slot 8 and be connected between theupper member 3 and display device 41 to connect the display device 41 tothe upper member 3 and support the display device 41 above the uppermember 3. For instance, first connector 43 a may be positioned to extendfrom the slot 8 adjacent to the second end 3 b of the upper member,third connector 43 c may be positioned to extend from the slot adjacentto the first end 3 a of the upper member 3 and the second connector 43 bmay be positioned to extend from the slot 8 between the first and thirdconnectors 43 a and 43 c in the slot 8 (e.g. in a central portion of theslot 8 or in a middle portion of the slot 8). Each connector may includefasteners, a mating profile, and/or other type of fastening mechanismthat fasten the connectors to the upper member 3 within the slot 8 andalso include fasteners and/or a mating profile and/or other type offastening mechanism for connection to the display device 41.

The display device 41 may also be plugged into an outlet 7 for receivingelectricity to power the display device via the outlet 7 and wiringpassing through the upper member 3. Alternatively, it is contemplatedthat the display device 41 may be coupled to electrical wiring passingthrough the upper member in the slot 8 or adjacent the slot 8. A usermay then turn on or off the display device and/or connect otherequipment to the display device 41 for use of the display device 41,which is powered via the electricity provided via the wiring passingthrough the upper member 3.

The upper member 3 can also include a downwardly facing opening 6defined in the bottom of the upper member 3. The opening 6 can beconfigured to facilitate connection to other elements, such as, forexample, hanging storage devices 11 as shown in FIG. 2. Each hangingstorage device 11 may define one or more pockets or other type ofstorage element 11 a (e.g. a shelf or a pouch, etc.) and be configuredso that an upper end of each hanging storage device 11 is attached tothe bottom portion of the upper member within the opening 6. Connectorsmay be positioned in the opening 6 for releaseably fastening the storagedevices 11 to the upper member via the downwardly facing opening 6. Thestorage devices 11 may hang from the upper member such that a bottomportion of each storage device 11 is above a floor on which the modularfurniture unit is supported via the base 4 (e.g. legs 5 alone or inconnection with floor contacting elements 5 c, etc.). For instance, eachstorage device 11 may be suspended from the upper member 3 such that thestorage device 11 hangs from the upper member and the bottom edge of thestorage device 11 is spaced apart from the floor.

Other embodiments may be configured so that shelving, cabinets, or othertypes of storage devices are attachable to the upper member 3 such thatthey are hung from the upper member 3. For instance, shelving orcabinets may be suspended from the upper member 3 via connection to theupper member inside of opening 6 or may be hung from another portion ofthe upper member 3.

The upper member 3 can have the upper slot 8 and bottom opening 6defined therein to facilitation interconnection to internal members thatextend between the first and second ends 3 a and 3 b of a modular unit.In some embodiments, the upper member 3 can be arranged to include rigidelongated members at certain location within the upper member 3 to helpprovide rigidity to the upper member 3. For example, referring to FIG.12, the upper member 3 may have an arrangement 3 c at the first end 3 a.The arrangement 3 c can also be located at the second end 3 b. Thearrangement 3 c can be configured to facilitate formation of the uppermember 3 via connections to a top beam 3 g and a lower beam 3 h that arespaced apart from each other and extend between the first and secondends 3 a and 3 b. The arrangement may include a bracket assembly thathas an upper protrusion having a hole 3 d and a lower protrusion havinga hole 3 e. The upper protrusion can be configured to facilitate theholding and/or supporting of a terminal end of the top beam 3 g byhaving the terminal end of that beam located on top of the protrusion.The lower protrusion can be configured to facilitate the holding and/orsupporting of a terminal end of the bottom beam 3 h by having theterminal end of that beam located on top of the protrusion. An elongatedfastener element 3 f can extend through the hole of the lower protrusion3 e, a hole 3 j defined in the bottom beam 3 h, the hole 3 d of theupper protrusion and a hole 3 i defined in the top beam 3 g. Nuts 3 l orother mechanism may be positioned to help facilitate a connection of thefastener element 3 f to the upper and lower protrusions. For instance,an upper nut 3 l may be attached adjacent a top end of the fastenerelement above the upper protrusion and a lower nut 3 l may be attachedto an intermediate location of the fastener element above the lowerprotrusion and below the upper protrusion for attaching the fastenerelement to the upper and lower protrusions and the top and bottom beams3 g and 3 h. The upper nut 3 l may also be located on or inside of topbeam 3 g and the lower nut 3 l may be located on or inside the bottombeam 3 h. The elongated fastener element 3 f can be a bolt, a screw orother type of fastener. The fastener elements 3 f located at theopposite first and second ends 3 a and 3 b via arrangement 3 c can bemade of metal and be configured to be rigid to add rigidity to thestructure formed by the interconnected top and bottom beams at the firstand second ends 3 a and 3 b. Sidewalls of the upper member can besubsequently attached between the first and second ends to cover thesides of the gap 3 k defined between the top and bottom beams 3 g and 3h. The sidewalls can be elongated to help define the bottom opening 6and/or the bottom beam 3 h may be structured to define that bottomopening 6.

As shown in FIG. 13, fasteners 3 f can also be positioned atintermediate locations between the terminal ends of the top and bottombeams 3 g and 3 h. At these locations, the arrangement 3 c may not beused. Casings, castings, spacers, pillars, and/or housings may belocated in the gap 3 k between the beams to facilitate receipt of thosefasteners and to help improve the rigidity of the upper member formed bythe interconnection of the beams. Additionally, such a configuration inwhich a casing, pillar, spacer, casting, and/or housing is used inconjunction with one or more fasteners 3 f can be placed in the gap 3 kbetween ends of the top and bottom beams 3 g and 3 h of two differentmodular units for interconnecting of those units to extend or define theshape of an arrangement of modular units. For such an interconnection,the arrangement 3 c may not be needed. Instead, use of a casing,casting, pillar, spacer, and/or housing with fasteners 3 f can be used.An inter-connection connector 12 can also be utilized in conjunctionwith the fasteners 3 f and the casing, housing, casting, pillar, and/orspacer at such a location. The fasteners 3 f may extend from thoseinter-connection connectors 12 through the bottom beam 3 h and throughand/or to the top beam 3 g for interconnecting the bottom beam 3 h, topbeam 3 g, and inter-connection connector 12 to the adjacent terminalends of the bottom beams and top beams for the inter-connected uppermembers of the units at the inter-connection location.

Embodiments of the modular furniture unit 1 can also be configured sothat at least one shelf or other type of storage element is connectablebetween the legs 5 of the unit 1. For instance, a first end of anelongated shelf body 15 can be connected to the first legs 5 a and thesecond end of the elongated shelf body 15 can be attached to the secondlegs 5 b so that the shelf body extends along the substantial length L(e.g. within 5% of this length L, equal to this length L, etc.) of theupper member below and spaced apart from the upper member 3. In someembodiments, the first end of the shelf body 15 can be shaped to matchthe profile defined by the spaced apart first pair of first legs 5 a tohave an interference fit within the spaced defined by those legs forconnecting the first end of the shelf body to the first legs 5 a. Thesecond end of the shelf body 15 can also be shaped to match the profiledefined by the spaced apart second pair of second legs 5 b to have aninterference fit within the spaced defined by those legs for connectingthe second end of the shelf body to the second legs 5 b. For instance,the shelf body 15 can include a middle portion 15 a that is between afirst side portion 15 b and a second side portion 15 c. Each of the sideportions may extend downwardly from the middle portion 15 a at an anglerelative to the middle portion 15 a (e.g. an angle of declination orinclination) for matching the profile of the angled apart pair of legsat each end of the upper member 3. In other embodiments, the ends of theshelf body 15 may be attached to the legs via at least one type ofattachment mechanism such as brackets, welding, adhesives, andfasteners. The upper surface of the middle portion 15 a of the shelfbody 15 may be flat or substantially flat (e.g. within 2°-3° of beingflat) to support books, computer related equipment, electronic tablets,bags, purses, shoes, or other tools or equipment a user may place on theshelf body 15. If those tools or equipment are electrically powered,they may be plugged into an outlet 7 for use or charging whilepositioned on the middle portion 15 a of the shelf body 15.

The modular furniture unit 1 can also be configured so that multipleupper members are interconnected and supported by multiple legsconnected to those upper members 3. For instance, examples of suchinterconnection of multiple upper members 3 can be appreciated fromFIGS. 10 and 11. A first upper member 3 may have its second end 3 b abuta first end 3 a of a second upper member 3. If not abutting, the firstend 3 a of the second upper member 3 may be positioned very close to thesecond end 3 b of the first upper member (e.g. within 0.5 centimeters,within 1 centimeter, within 2-3 centimeters).

The first and second upper members may be interconnected by legs thatare attached to the first and second upper members via an upper memberinter-connection connector 12. The upper members may also beinterconnected via interlockable profiles and/or other interconnectionfeatures in addition to the upper member inter-connection connectors 12.A distal first end 3 a of the first upper member 3 may be attached to aleg connector 10 that is configured to be attached at the end of theupper member for connecting the first legs 5 a to the first end 3 a ofthe first upper member 3. The second end of the second upper member 3may also be connected to such a leg connector 10 for connection of thirdlegs to that second upper member 3. Alternatively, the second end of thesecond upper member 3 may be connected to another upper memberinter-connection connector 12 if that second end of the second uppermember is to be connected to a first end of a third upper member 3. Thenumber of interconnected upper members 3 interconnected via upper memberinter-connection connectors 12 may be more than two or three or may beonly two or only three for different embodiments. In some embodiments,terminal ends of the upper element formed from multiple interconnectedupper members 3 of multiple modular furniture units 1 being connectedtogether may be configured to have the leg connectors 10 attachedthereto, while the ends of interconnected upper members may be connectedvia the upper member inter-connection connectors 12.

Each upper member inter-connection connector 12 can be positioned in thedownwardly facing opening 6 at the bottom of the upper members betweenthe upper members being interconnected. For instance, the upper memberinter-connection connector 12 connecting the first and second uppermembers 3 shown in FIG. 1 can be positioned at the interface between thefirst end 3 a of the second upper member 3 and the second end 3 b of thefirst upper member 3. Second legs 5 may be attached to the upper memberinter-connection connector 12 to extend downwardly from the bottom ofthe upper member to adjacent a floor at an angle θ relative to eachother. Fasteners or other type of fastening mechanism may be utilizedfor attachment of the upper member inter-connection connector 12 to theupper members 3 adjacent the first end 3 a of the second upper member 3and the second end 3 b of the first upper member 3. The legs may beattached to the upper member inter-connection connector 12 via mateableinterconnection mechanism, fasteners, or other type of fasteningmechanism.

Each inter-connection connector 12 can also be configured to incorporateat least one elongated fastener element 3 f to extend through holes inthe top and bottom beams 3 g and 3 h and in a hole formed in a plate ofthe inter-connection connector 12 that is configured for positioning ona bottom side of the bottom beam 3 h. The use of the one or morefastener elements 3 f may help add rigidity to the upper memberstructure defined by a run of multiple upper members 3. The top andbottom beams 3 g and 3 h may also have holes formed therein that are forreceiving other fastener elements 3 f between their opposite terminalends located at the first and second ends 3 a and 3 b at otherintermediate locations to add rigidity to the structure of the formedupper member 3. For instance, some embodiments may have a plurality ofspaced apart fastener elements 3 f extending between the top and bottombeams 3 g and 3 h at various spaced apart intermediate locationspositioned between the first and second ends 3 a and 3 b as shown inFIG. 13. Housings, spacers, castings, pillars, or casings may bepositioned in the gap 3 k between the upper and bottom beams 3 g and 3 hto receive portions of the fasteners 3 f that extend between the beamsat these intermediate locations.

Upper members 3 can be interconnected to provide an elongated linear runof aligned upper members via inter-connection connectors 12 and/or otherconnection mechanisms. Additionally (or alternatively), at least oneupper member 3 can be connected to another upper member 3 at an angle toprovide a different shaped furniture arrangement, such as a first uppermember 3 that is attached at a 90° or an 80°-100° angle relative toanother upper member 3 to provide an L shaped or a generally L shapedconfiguration. In yet other embodiments, connectors positioned in theopening 6, slot 8 and/or end-wise opening of an upper member 3 can beconfigured to connect to other upper members at different angles toprovide different configurations. For instance, upper members may beinterconnected together to form a generally T shaped configuration ofinterconnected upper members, a generally Y shaped configuration ofinterconnected upper members, or a generally X shaped configuration ofinterconnected upper members. For instance, an X shaped configurationcan result from the first ends of four different upper members beinginterconnected together via at least one interconnection devicepositioned between those first ends. As another example, a first uppermember can have its first end connected to first ends of second andthird upper members to form a Y shaped configuration of upper members.As yet another example, a first upper member can have its first endconnected to first ends of second and third upper members to form a Tshaped configuration of upper members. The first ends of the second andthird upper members of the T shaped configuration may also be connectedto each other via the same connector or via a different connectormechanism. In yet other embodiments, first and/or second ends of uppermembers may be interconnected together via at least one connector deviceto form a generally U shaped configuration of upper members, a generallyW shaped configuration of upper members, a generally V shapedconfiguration of upper members, a generally H shaped configuration ofupper members, a generally E shaped configuration of upper members, agenerally F shaped configuration of upper members, a generally N shapedconfiguration of upper members, a generally M shaped configuration ofupper members, or a generally K shaped configuration of upper members.

Further, interconnected modular furniture modules 1 may be positionedfor connection to other furniture elements for defining a work space orother type of furniture arrangement. For instance, enclosed shelvinghaving slideable doors may rest upon a shelf body 15 or otherwise beconnected to the legs 5 supporting the interconnected upper members 3below the upper members 3. Tables 51 having legs 53 can also be attachedto the upper member 3 so that ends 57 of the tables proximate the uppermembers 3 may be supported by the legs of the modular furniture unit 1or otherwise be supported on the floor by the modular furniture unit 1by attachment to the upper member via at least one connector extendingto the upper member 3 via downwardly facing opening 6 or upper slot 8.Computer equipment, lighting, display devices, telephones, or otherequipment or tools may be positioned on such work surfaces or stored inthe shelving 61. Power may be distributable to electronic appliances viathe outlets 7.

The modular units 1 can provide a number of different organizationalarrangements for furniture and provide for flexibility to allow forquick rearrangement of floor layouts or furniture arrangements to meetdifferent work space needs. Further, the modular furniture units canprovide such a feature while also permitting electricity and/or datamanagement capabilities by providing for electricity transmission viathe upper members 3 and outlets 7. To the extent wired data cabling isnecessary for particular electronic equipment supported by the modularfurniture unit 1, such wiring (e.g. cords, cables, etc.) may extendbetween access points or routers that may be plugged into an outlet 7.

It should be understood that modification to the modular furniture unit1 can be made to meet a particular set of design criteria. For instance,the size, shape, weight, the length, width, and depth of the uppermember 3 can be any size or shape to meet a particular set of designcriteria. As yet another example, each upper member 3 can be configuredto facilitate the ganging of different free standing modular furnitureunits 1. As another example, the size and shape of a shelf body 15,privacy screen 21, or other element that may be connected to the uppermember may also be any shape or size as needed to meet a particular setof design criteria. As yet another example length and size of the legs 5of the base 4 can be any size or shape that is required to meet aparticular set of design criteria. As yet another example, the floorcontacting elements 5 c can be glides or castors or other type of footthat are configured for attachment to a bottom terminal end of arespective leg 5 for engagement with a floor or each leg 5 may beconfigured so that its terminal end contacts the floor.

Therefore, while certain exemplary embodiments of a modular furnitureunit, furniture arrangements including at least one such unit, andmethods of making and using the same have been discussed and illustratedherein, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular furniture unit comprising: an uppermember having a first end and a second end; at least one first legconnected to the first end of the upper member; at least one second legconnected to the second end of the upper member; the upper member havinga top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottomat a first side of the upper member extending between the first andsecond ends of the upper member, the upper member also having a secondsidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of theupper member that is opposite the first side of the upper member, thesecond side of the upper member also extending between the first andsecond ends of the upper member; the upper member having at least oneof: outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned inthe second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positionedin the upper member to conduct electricity from a source of electricityto the outlets; the top of the upper member having an elongated slotextending from adjacent the first end of the upper member to adjacent tothe second end of the upper member; and the upper member having adownwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the upper member. 2.The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising a privacy screenattached to the upper member via the slot.
 3. The modular furniture unitof claim 2, comprising a shelf body attached between the at least onefirst leg and the at least one second leg underneath the upper memberand spaced apart from the upper member.
 4. The modular furniture unit ofclaim 1, comprising a saddle seat attached to the upper member via theslot.
 5. The modular furniture unit of claim 4, wherein the saddle seathas a middle portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion,the first side portion extending downwardly from the middle portionalong the first sidewall, the second side portion extending downwardlyfrom the middle portion along the second sidewall.
 6. The modularfurniture unit of claim 1, comprising a shelf element or a seat elementattached to the upper member via the slot.
 7. The modular furniture unitof claim 1, comprising a display device attached to the upper elementvia the slot.
 8. The modular furniture unit of claim 1, comprising atleast one storage device attached to the upper member such that thestorage device hangs from adjacent the downwardly facing opening.
 9. Themodular furniture unit of claim 8, wherein an upper end of the storagedevice is attached to the upper member inside the downwardly facingopening.
 10. The modular furniture unit of claim 9, wherein the storagedevice has pouches.
 11. The modular furniture unit of claim 1,comprising at least one privacy screen attached to the upper member viathe slot and at least one tabletop attached to the upper member via thedownwardly facing opening
 6. 12. The modular furniture unit of claim 1,wherein the upper member is a first upper member, the modular furnitureunit comprising: a second upper member having a first end and a secondend; at least one third leg connected to the first end of the secondupper member; at least one fourth leg connected to the second end of thesecond upper member; the second upper member having a top, a bottom, afirst sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a first side ofthe second upper member extending between the first and second ends ofthe second upper member, the second upper member also having a secondsidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side of thesecond upper member that is opposite the first side of the second uppermember, the second side of the second upper member extending between thefirst and second ends of the second upper member; the second uppermember having at least one of: outlets positioned in the first sidewallof the second upper member and outlets positioned in the second sidewallof the second upper member, each of the outlets connected to wiringpositioned in the second upper member to conduct electricity from asource of electricity to the outlets; the top of the second upper memberhaving an elongated slot extending from adjacent the first end of thesecond upper member to adjacent to the second end of the second uppermember; and a work surface extending between the first upper member andthe second upper member above the first and second upper members, thefirst upper member being attached to the work surface adjacent to afirst side of the work surface, the second upper member being attachedto the work surface adjacent to a second side of the work surface. 13.The modular furniture unit of claim 1, wherein the upper member is afirst upper member, the modular furniture unit comprising: a secondupper member having a first end and a second end; the second uppermember having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extending from the topto the bottom at a first side of the second upper member extendingbetween the first and second ends of the second upper member, the secondupper member also having a second sidewall extending from the top to thebottom at a second side of the second upper member that is opposite thefirst side of the second upper member, the second side of the secondupper member also extending between the first and second ends of thesecond upper member; the second upper member having at least one of:outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned in thesecond sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positioned inthe second upper member to conduct electricity from a source ofelectricity to the outlets; the top of the second upper member having anelongated slot extending from adjacent the first end of the second uppermember to adjacent to the second end of the second upper member; and thesecond upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in thebottom of the second upper member.
 14. The modular furniture unit ofclaim 13, wherein the second end of the first upper member is adjacentto the first end of the second upper member, and wherein an upper memberinter-connection connector is attached between the first end of thesecond upper member and the second end of the first upper member withinthe downwardly facing openings of the first and second upper members;the at least one second leg attached to the second end of the firstupper member being attached to the second end of the first upper membervia the upper member inter-connection connector; the at least one secondleg also attached to the first end of the second upper member via theupper member inter-connection connector; and at least one third legattached to the second end of the second upper member.
 15. A furniturearrangement comprising: a first modular unit comprising: a first uppermember having a first end and a second end; at least one first legconnected to the first end of the first upper member; at least onesecond leg connected to the second end of the first upper member; thefirst upper member having a top, a bottom, a first sidewall extendingfrom the top to the bottom at a first side of the first upper memberextending between the first and second ends of the first upper member,the first upper member also having a second sidewall extending from thetop to the bottom at a second side of the first upper member that isopposite the first side of the first upper member, the second side ofthe first upper member also extending between the first and second endsof the first upper member; the first upper member having at least oneof: outlets positioned in the first sidewall and outlets positioned inthe second sidewall, each of the outlets connected to wiring positionedin the first upper member to conduct electricity from a source ofelectricity to the outlets; the top of the first upper member having anelongated slot extending from adjacent the first end of the first uppermember to adjacent to the second end of the first upper member; and thefirst upper member having a downwardly facing opening defined in thebottom of the first upper member; and a second modular unit connectableto the first modular unit.
 16. The furniture arrangement of claim 15,wherein the second modular unit comprising: a second upper member havinga first end and a second end; the second upper member having a top, abottom, a first sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a firstside of the second upper member extending between the first and secondends of the second upper member, the second upper member also having asecond sidewall extending from the top to the bottom at a second side ofthe second upper member that is opposite the first side of the secondupper member, the second side of the second upper member also extendingbetween the first and second ends of the second upper member; the secondupper member having at least one of: outlets positioned in the firstsidewall and outlets positioned in the second sidewall, each of theoutlets connected to wiring positioned in the second upper member toconduct electricity from a source of electricity to the outlets; the topof the second upper member having an elongated slot extending fromadjacent the first end of the second upper member to adjacent to thesecond end of the second upper member; and the second upper memberhaving a downwardly facing opening defined in the bottom of the secondupper member.
 17. The furniture arrangement of claim 16, wherein thesecond end of the first upper member is adjacent to the first end of thesecond upper member, and wherein an upper member inter-connectionconnector is attached between the first end of the second upper memberand the second end of the first upper member within the downwardlyfacing openings of the first and second upper members; the at least onesecond leg attached to the second end of the first upper member beingattached to the second end of the first upper member via the uppermember inter-connection connector; the at least one second leg alsoattached to the first end of the second upper member via the uppermember inter-connection connector; and at least one third leg attachedto the second end of the second upper member.
 18. The furniturearrangement of claim 16, comprising: a work surface attached between thefirst upper member of the first modular unit and the second upper memberof the second modular unit.
 19. The furniture arrangement of claim 16,comprising: comprising a privacy screen attached to the first modularunit and a privacy screen attached to the second modular unit.
 20. Thefurniture arrangement of claim 16, comprising: a display deviceconnected to the first modular unit.